The choices hidden in photography

Photography is often understood as an objective recording of light measurements, in contrast with the subjective nature of painting. This article argues that photography entails making the same kinds of choices of color, tone, and perspective as in painting, and surveys examples from film photography and smartphone cameras. Hence, understanding picture perception requires treating photography as just one way to make pictures. More research is needed to understand the effects of these choices on pictorial perception, which in turn could lead to the design of new imaging techniques.